Austrian F.m. Says His Country Favors Reagan’s Mideast Proposals

September 29, 1982

UNITED NATIONS (Sep. 28)

The Foreign Minister of Austria, Willipad Pahr, told the General Assembly today that Austria regards President Reagan’s Middle East peace plan “as a historic move.” Pahr said Austria believes that the core of the problem in the Middle East is “a just settlement of the Palestinian question,” and that the Reagan plan is addressing itself to solving that problem.

Expressing once again regret and condemnation of the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, the Austrian diplomat stated “Austria learned with horror and consternation of the recent massacre of Palestinian men, women and children in the area of Beirut which had been illegally occupied by Israel. We are deeply shocked by this atrocity.” Pahr called on the United Nations to establish an inquiry committee to investigate the massacre.

Meanwhile, Security Council members were scheduled to meet here this afternoon for consultation regarding a call last Friday by a special General Assembly meeting that the Council should set up a panel to investigate the massacre.

In another development, Yitzhak Shamir, Israeli’s Foreign Minister, was expected to arrive here later this afternoon or tonight to attend the General Assembly. He is scheduled to address the Assembly Thursday morning. Shamir will stay in New York for three weeks to meet with diplomats and officials attending the current Assembly session.

This afternoon, Egypt is scheduled to address the General Assembly. Sources said they expect a sharply worded attack on Israel.